X-ray mapping of an IR selected star forming region with BeppoSAX NFI's

✍ Scribed by P. Soffitta; E. Costa; P. Kaaret; J.A. Tomsick; E.C. Ford; A. Santangelo

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1999
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 364 KB
• Volume: 69
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0920-5632
• DOI: 10.1016/s0920-5632(98)00246-1

✦ Synopsis

BeppoSAX observed an IR selected star forming region searching for Be/X-ray binaries. Since the time scale for the evolution of these systems is rather short, their progenitors (massive O and B stars), are likely found in these regions. These type of stars form the central sources of HII regions in molecular clouds, and since these same HII regions constitute some of the brightest IRAS point sources, IR emission is correlated with their presence. We located HII regions as bumps in the IR emission of the galactic plane by means of the IR maps of the IRAS satellite. A star forming region has been selected in the Scutum '5 kpc' arm of the Galaxy.

BeppoSAX performed four pointed observations scanning the entire region where it found non catalogued Xray sources. If located in the 'Scutum' arm their luminosity is within the typical range for Be/X-ray binaries in quiescence. Their true nature is investigated.